Investigation Underway Into What Caused Fire Truck Ladder To Buckle

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BOSTON (CBS) – An independent investigator will work to determine what caused a Boston fire truck ladder to collapse onto a home in Mattapan during a Wednesday night fire.

Firefighters were trying to knock down flames on Duke Street. The bucket was about two feet above the roof when the top portion of the ladder buckled.

A firefighter who was in the bucket when it collapsed was able to climb onto the roof. The truck is 13 years old and is a spare, because the normal truck is currently being repaired.

"Thank goodness he was able to get out," said Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn.

A ladder truck failed at a fire in Mattapan (WBZ-TV)

Finn said it is too premature to say what took place. He added that reserve fleets are just like the front line and are well-maintained.

The fire commissioner called the incident an "anomaly." Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the plan for the city is to rebuild a new fleet of trucks, making sure the equipment has top technology.

"We have some issues here where we're trying to catch up," said Walsh.